Published Oct. 6, 2026. Arizona Cardinals starting left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. will miss the rest of the season after tearing his left biceps, the team announced.
Johnson sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of Arizona’s 36–24 loss to the New York Giants. Coach Mike LaFleur said Johnson will be placed on injured reserve and is expected to undergo surgery.
A major loss for Arizona’s offensive line
Johnson started each of the Cardinals’ first four games this season and had started all 47 games of his NFL career. Arizona selected him sixth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft after his college career at Ohio State.
According to the Cardinals’ official report, the injury occurred on Arizona’s final drive as Johnson attempted to recover after Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter moved around him near the goal line.
How the Cardinals may replace him
Rookie Jayden Williams, a seventh-round selection from Mississippi, replaced Johnson after the injury. Arizona must now decide whether to keep Williams at left tackle or reshuffle an offensive line already dealing with injuries.
Losing a starting left tackle affects both pass protection and the running game. The position is responsible for handling many of the league’s top edge rushers and protecting the quarterback’s blind side on a large share of passing plays.
What comes next
The Cardinals are 1–3 and are scheduled to host the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Glendale. The team is expected to provide additional roster details when Johnson is formally moved to injured reserve.
The announcement makes Johnson’s absence a season-long injury rather than a week-to-week status question. His rehabilitation timetable beyond the 2026 season has not been announced.
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Sources
- Arizona Cardinals, Oct. 5, 2026.
- Reuters, Oct. 6, 2026.
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